Keith Mader

The Wildcat women’s tennis team lost to Whitworth University 6-3 in the Northwest Conference finals April 18 in Yakima, Wash.
The loss signified the end of Linfield’s seven-year streak of conference championships, though the Wildcats do not view the loss negatively.
“I feel like we learned a lot from the loss and can really grow as a team from it,” freshman Kirstie
Franceschina said.
Doubles partners junior Sallie Katter and freshman Abby Olbrich had one of the ’Cats’ three wins. With a score of 8-4, they concluded the season with a 7-0 record.
The other wins came from Olbrich, as she won with scores of 6-2 and 6-0, and freshman Kiana Nip in singles play.
The win by Olbrich in singles play was her 18th straight win of the season. She and Katter both received all-conference honors after a vote by the leagues’ nine coaches.
Number two singles, Olbrich had a
team-best singles record of 18-2, 18-2, followed closely by number three singles sophomore Sophie Larson, who had a record of 18-3, 15-2.
The Wildcats are still under consideration for a berth in the NCAA D-III regional tournament.